What does it mean that a wife is supposed to be a helpmeet / help meet?

Answer

The term “helpmeet” originates from Genesis 2:18 in the King James Version of the Bible, which states, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.” In this context, “meet” is an adjective meaning “suitable.” Essentially, the verse conveys that God created a “help” for Adam, and this helper was “meet” (suitable, fit, proper) for him. Over time, “help meet” evolved into a single word, “helpmeet,” which is occasionally used interchangeably with “helpmate,” signifying “spouse” or “companion.” Contemporary translations interpret the phrase in Genesis 2:18 as “a helper fit for him” (ESV); “a helper suitable for him” (NIV and NASB); or “a helper comparable to him” (NKJV).

It is noteworthy that the sole aspect of God’s creation deemed “not good” pertains to Adam’s solitary condition. God expressed that it was unfavorable for man to be alone «And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him. », (Genesis 2:18). By nature, man is a social being; we are designed by God to require companionship. Moreover, a man on his own cannot procreate. Adam, in isolation, was lacking. Hence, God fashioned Eve as a “help meet” to complement Adam, to offer companionship, and to facilitate childbearing. Eve was precisely what Adam required—a suitable helper for him.

Does this imply that every man needs a wife, a companion to fulfill him? Not necessarily. In fact, the apostle Paul affirmed that celibacy is commendable for the servant of God (1 Corinthians 7:7-9). Does it suggest that every woman must become a wife and a completer of a man? No. Not every woman desires marriage or is called to wedlock. Nevertheless, the Genesis passage establishes the norm for most individuals in most circumstances. A wife is t

The helper suitable for her husband.

So what exactly does it mean to be a suitable helper? The key is the word suitable. A suitable wife is compatible with her husband in many respects—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. This doesn’t mean the man and woman are the same in everything, only that they fit together in harmony. They complement each other. The B-flat key on the piano is not the same as the G, but together they make a harmonious chord. Similarly, a suitable helper for a husband is a wife who is different from him, but well-suited to him, one who completes him in every way and who brings harmony, not discord, to the relationship.